Electrolyte for a nickel-iron battery

Abstract

Providing is a battery comprising an iron anode, a nickel cathode, and an electrolyte comprised of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and a soluble metal sulfide. In one embodiment the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte ranges from 6.0 M to 7.5 M, the amount of lithium hydroxide present in the electrolyte ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 M, and the amount of metal sulfide present in the electrolyte ranges from 1-2% by weight.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A battery comprising an iron anode, a nickel cathode, and an electrolyte comprised of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and a soluble metal sulfide, wherein the amount of sulfide contained in the electrolyte ranges from 0.23% to 0.75% by weight of the electrolyte, and with the iron anode comprising a polyvinyl alcohol binder. 
     
     
       2. The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sulfide is an alkali metal sulfide. 
     
     
       3. The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the metal sulfide is sodium sulfide. 
     
     
       4. The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the iron anode contains sulfur or sulfur compounds. 
     
     
       5. The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte is in the range of from 6.0 M to 7.5 M. 
     
     
       6. The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the iron electrode is affixed to a two dimensional conductive substrate. 
     
     
       7. The battery of  claim 6 , wherein the conductive substrate is a perforated strip or expanded metal. 
     
     
       8. The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the iron electrode comprises a three dimensional conductive substrate. 
     
     
       9. The battery of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive substrate is a metal foam, metal felt, or metal foil. 
     
     
       10. The battery of  claim 9 , wherein the foil is a perforated foil in which the perforation result in burrs that protrude above and below the surface of the foil. 
     
     
       11. The battery of  claim 9 , wherein the foil has metallic nickel or iron particles sintered onto the surface of the foil.